Landscape Management, March 2013

MARKETWATCH LAWN TREE CARE The grass master Ohios Applicator of the Year proves theres more to quality lawn care than fertilizer M att Tyler takes out the trash He rakes the leaves mows the lawn even brings in the groceries No thats not life at home Those are some of the extra steps Tyler takes for his lawn care customers on the job And theyre just a few reasons why the Ohio Lawn Care Association OLCA named him its 2012 Applicator of the Year The award is designated for a lawn care applicator who demonstrates professionalism on the job and leadership at his or her company and theres no doubt Tyler embodies both of those things says Matt Ellis Tylers boss at Grass Master Inc who nominated Tyler for the award Once he started working for the company he raised the bar for everybody else Ellis says Hes humble He demonstrates a level of professionalism that we consider old school now For example Ellis says Tyler watches out for his older customers knows his clients dogs and even spent an hour repairing a clients lawn mower Ive blown out their garages for them just little things like that Tyler says of his old school style Why I dont know If they need help they need help Tyler 49 has worked as a lawn care professional for 24 years 10 of them at Grass Master based in Canal Fulton Ohio Hes both honored and humbled by his Applicator of the Year award Its By BETH GERACI really really appreciated he says Its nice to be recognized as an individual who cares and works hard THE VOTES ARE IN Applicator of the Year nominations are voted on by a nine person board consisting of chemical manufacturers distributors and lawn care companies from around Ohio including Ellis who serves as the boards vice president At first board members could not nominate their own employees for the award but that has since changed We thought Weve got these fantastic nominees and its really not fair that they wouldnt be considered Ellis says Nominations pour in from any of 300 Ohio Lawn Care Association members statewide The award also is advertised through the Ohio Turf Foundation and at John Deere Landscapes locations around the state so that non members can nominate candidates Tyler is the fourth recipient of the award a plaque in the shape of Ohio Through his professionalism honesty and willingness to do more than his job requires Tyler has acquired quite a fan base on his route Unfortunately for some of those fans Grass Master recently changed up its routes to increase its density To some of Tylers customers it felt like a cruel joke Says Ellis I told one customer Tylers not going to be your guy anymore Were changing the routes And the customer said No way IN HOUSE IMPACT Tyler has made an impression not only in the field but also at the office Hes great He is a pleasure to work with says Grass Master office manager Carolyn Swinehart Hes very cooperative If you ask him to do something he will do it Swinehart is so impressed by Tylers work ethic that she was eager to share a complimentary letter from one of his customers We have been customers of Grass Master for 14 years the letter stated The great looks of our lawn are mainly due to your products and your service technician Matt Tyler Tyler takes such praise in stride saying hes just an ordinary guy who listens to his customers and uses common sense I mean yeah I work long hours some days and its a little much sometimes he says But if you pace yourself its all right Its satisfying Its gratifying It makes it all worthwhile LM garages for them just little things like that I dont know If they need help they need help Matt Tyler LANDSCAPEMANAGEMENT NET MARCH 2013 44 Ive blown out customers

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